Curtain operating device



y 1933. E. F. SIBBERT 1,907,597

CURTAIN OPERATING DEVICE Filed April 21, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN ENTOR-ATTORNEY- May 9, 1933.

E. F. SIBBERT CURTAIN OPERATING DEVICE Filed April 21, 1932 4$heets$heet 2 y 9, 1933- E. F. SIBBERT 1,907,597

CURTAIN OPERATING DEVICE Filed April 21, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR-dw C JAawl" 14,; ATTORNEY- y 9, 1933- E. F. SIBBERT 1,907,597

CURTAIN OPERAT I NG DEVICE Filed April 21, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR- Zd rr 3 7 1, 444%- A ATTORN EY- Patented May 9, 1933 PATENTOFFICE EDWARD F. SIBBERT, F BROOKLYN. NEW YORK CURTAIN OPER-ATIN G DIEVICE Application filed April 21,

My invention relates to curtain operating devices and refersparticularly to devices for moving and operating louvre curtains.

Among the objects of'my invention is a device whereby any desired numberof louvres of a. louvre curtain may be raised, or

lowered, across a. window and whereby these louvres may be. revolvedupon their axes to produce desired openings'between them for purposes ofventilation or admission of light.

There are two distinct movements neces- V, sary for the proper operationof louvre curtains, to wit, the movement of the curtain across thewindow in order to cover a-por tion, or all, thereof, and a movement ofthe louvres in order to admit, or prevent the admission of, light andair.

These two operations are usually conducted by two separate mechanisms,which in many devices are diflicult of operation and ineffective inresults.

The device of my invention presents means wvhereby a single mechanism isemployed to perform both of the above mentioned cur- 'tain and louvremovements insuring certainty of operation with a minimum of manualeffort.

The simplicity of my device, its positive action of performance. itsadaptability to windows of different construction, its possibility ofremote control, its capability of concealment, its ease of operation andits many other novel and valuable features will be evident upon aconsideration of my specification and its accompanying drawings,illustrating modifications of my device and in which similar parts aredesignated by similar numerals.

40 Figure 1 is an interior view of one form of the device of myinvention adapted to a window.

Figure 2 a section taken on the line 2-'2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged front view of the operating mechanism of thedevice of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section taken on the line 4-4 of Figures 1 and3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the louvre 1932. Serial No. 606,634.

operating mechanism of the device of Figure 1 with the louvres in oneinclination.

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figlife 5 with the louvres in adifferent inclination.

Figure 7 is an enlarged section taken onthe line 77 of Figure 1 and onthe line 77 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is an enlarged section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1 andthe line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective detail of a louvre of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a vertical section of a modified form of my device.

Figure -11 is a wertical section of another modified form of my deviceapplied to a sky-light.

Figure 12 is a vertical section of another modified form of my device.

Figure 13 is a vertical section of a modified form of my device forlimiting the movement of a curtain.

Figure 14 is a front view of a modified form of my device for limitingthe movement 7 5 of a curtain.

Figure 15 is an enlarged section taken on the line 1515 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a front view of my device applied to an ordinary venetiancurtain.

Figure 17 is an enlarged section taken on the line 1717 of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is an enlarged section taken on the line 1818 of Figure 17.

The particular form of the device of my invention shown in Figures 1 to9 inclusive, is shown in conjunction with wall 20 within which is ahousing frame 21 and upper and lower window sashes 2'2 and '23.

The operating mechanism consists of a revoluble shaft 24 supported bythe hangers 25. 25. The shaft 2i carries the fixedly attached worm gear26 meshing with the Worm 9T fixedly attached to the drive shaft 28 supported by the hanger 29. The shaft 28 has the extended arm 30 and thehandle 31. The shaft 24 earriesthe fixedly attached sprockcts 32 and 33.

Figure 4 illustrates one side of the device.

A revoluble shaft 34 is positioned within the upper portion of thewindow casing and carries the fixedly attached sprocket 35. A chain belt36 passes over the sprockets 32 and 35, the two ends of the chain 36being attached at 37 and 38 to the movable bracket 39.

The bracket 39 carries the revoluble stub shaft 40, to which thesprocket 41 is fixedly attached, and the two revoluble idlers 42 and 43.A chain belt 44 fixedly attached at 45 and 46 passes over the sprocket41 as shown particularly in Figures 5 and 6. the chain belt 44 thusbeing stationary and not movable with the belt 36. The sprocket 41 carries a stop-pin 47 abutable upon the bracket 39 limiting the revolutionof the sprocket 41 as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

A similar movable bracket and chains are similarly positioned andconnected to the sprocket 33 of the shaft 24.

The revoluble stub shaft 40 is extended into the member 48 having thetwo arms 49, 49. A louvre operating member 50 is fixedly attachedbetween the two arms 49, 49, extends across the window and is'similarlycarried by a stub shaft member of the movable bracket upon the otherside of the casement.

.The curtain consists of a plurality of louvres 51, 51, each having anextended pin 52 at each end capable of longitudinal movement within aslot 53 of the face plate 54.

A pluralitv of flexible tapes 55, 55 are fixedly attached to the member50 and each side of a louvre 51 by means of hooks 56, 56.

In order to prevent sudden shocks to the chain 36, and the correspondingopposite chain, and to indicate when the curtain movement is complete,the chain is broken and a spiral spring 57 employed to connect the twoends thereof.

For clearness of explanation of the operation of my device, I will referto the move ment of the elements upon one side of the easement, but itisto be understod that the same movements occur simultaneously in theelements upon the other side of the casement,

' in order that the curtain may be moved properly.

A revoluble movement of the handle 31 will cause the revolution of theshaft 28, the shaft 24 and the sprocket 32, causing the chain 36 to movein the direction of the arrow of Figures 4 and 5. As the chain 36 movesupwardly. the sprocket 41 will be revolved clock-wise by the fixed chain44, until the stop pin 47 assumes the position shown in Figure 5, andthe louvre 51 assumes the inclined position shown in that Figure. Afurther upward movement of the chain 36 will carry the movable bracket39 upwardly thus moving the member 50 and all of the louvres 51, 51upwardly as shown in Figure 8.

It will thus be seen that the curtain can be raised to any desiredheight.

If the handle 31 be moved in the opposite direction, the fixed chain 44will first revolve the sprocket 41 in a counter clock-wise direction,causing the stop pin 47 and the louvres 51, 51 to assume the positionshown in Figure 6, a further movement causing the louvres to descend andrest upon the supporting platform 58.

It will thus be noted that the inclination of the louvres can be changedfor the desired. admission of air and light by a slight movement of thehandle 31 and this can be accomplished irrespective of the number oflouvres employed as a curtain.

In the modified form of my device illustrated in Figure 10, thepositions of the I louvres 51, 51 and the member 50 are reversed fromthat shown in Figures 1 to 9, the louvres being collapsible in an upwarddirection into the upper part of the window frame, instead of downwardlyinto the lover part of the window frame as previously described.

Figure 11 illustrates a modified form of my device adapted f0 1' askylight window 59, 59. In this modification the louvres move in ahorizontal plane and the operating bar 28 is extended to allow of remotecontrol.

Figure 12 illustrates a modified form of my device in which thestationary chain 44 previously described is omitted. In this modifiedform the chain 36 passes over the V sprockets 32, 35 and 41. Idlers 60,61, and 62 maintain the two flights of the chain 36 in parallel positionwith respect to each other. Assuming the device to be in the positionshown in Figure 5, the movement of the chain in the direction of thearrows of Figure 12, will revolve the sprocket 41, causing the louvres51, 51 to move from the position shown in Figure 5'to that shown inFigure 12, a further movement of the chain 36 causing the louvres tomove downwardly within the window frame.

The modified form of my device illustrated in Figure 13 shows a meansfor preventing the further movement of the chain 36 when the louvres 51,51 have reached their extreme upper and lower position. Thismovementlimiting means consists of a hooked member 63 having an extendedmember 64 abutable upon and slidable over the face of the,housing frame,and a corresponding hooked member 65 having an extended member 66abutable upon and slidable over the face of the housing frame. When thelouvres have reached their desired lower position the member 63 engagesthe teeth of the sprocket 32 preventing further movement, and the member65 when it engages the teeth of the sprocket 35 prevents further upwardmovement. The two flights of the chain 36 are maintained in parallelposition by the idlers 66 and 67.

The modified form of the device of my invention shown in Figures 14 and15 illustrates a modified means for limiting the movement of the chains36 and 36'. The shaft 24 carries a fixedly attached worm gear 68 meshingwith the slidable rack member 69. The revolution of the shaft 24 movesthe rack 69.nntil it abuts upon either stop 70 and 71, thus preventingfurther revoluble movement of the shaft 24.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 illustrate my device applied to the ordinaryvenetian shades having the louvres 51, 51 and being operated by theflexible cord, or tape, 72.

In this modification of my device, I employ a fixed chain 73 whichpasses over the sprocket 41. As the cord, or tape, 72 is pulleddownwardly, or allowed to move upwardly by the-weight of the louvres 51,51, the bracket 39 and its several elements move along the'chain 73,resulting in a movement of the louvres such as described in the otherforms of my device.

It will be noted that my device can be .readily incorporated as a unitwithin a window frame.

My invention, therefore, presents means whereby 'a louvre-curtain can bereadily moved across an opening, such as a window, to cover apredetermined portion of said opening or window, and whereby the louvrescan he revolved a predetermined distance upon their axes, the mechanismof my device being of such construction that it performs both themovement of the curtain and the 'movement of the louvres.

I do not limit myself to the particular size. shape, number, arrangementor material of parts as specifically shown and described as these aregiven simplv as a means for clearly describing the device of myinvention.

What I claim is 1. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of awindow, two oppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upperportion of said window, a chain passing over and connecting said lowerand upper sprockets upon each side of said window, a curtain-carriercarried by each chain, a louvre curtain carried by saidcurtain-carriers, means carried by said curtaincarriers adapted torevolve said louvres apredetermined distance upon their axes and meansadapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously with one another andpositively to hold said sprockets stationary for therebypositivelymaintaining said louvre curtain at any position to which it may be movedacross a window or the like.

2. In a curtain-operating device, in coxnbi nation, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a traveling chain pass ng over and connecting said lower andupper sprockets upon each side of said window, a curtain-carrier carriedby each chain to travel therewith, a louvre curtain carried by saidcurtain-carriers, means carried by said curtain-carriers adapted torevolve said louvres a predetermined distance upon their axes, meansadapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously with one another andpositively to hold said sprockets stationary for thereby positivelymaintaining said louvre curtain at any position to which it may be movedacross a win- (low or the like, and means independent of said louvresand cooperating with a said chain thereby to limitthe travelingmovements of said curtain-carrier.

3. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a chain passing over and connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window. a revoluble. curtain-carriercarried by each said chains including a sprocket with which said chainmeshes, a louvre curtain carried by sa d curtain-carriers, means carriedby said curtain-carriers and connected with said louvres to revolve saidlouvres a predetermined distance upon their axes and means adapted torevolve said pa rs of sprockets simultaneously with one another. 4. In acurtain-operating device. in combination, two oppositely positionedrevoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, two oppos telypositioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of said window, atraveling chain passing over and connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window. a revoluble and trav elingcurtain-carrier carried by each said chains including a sprocket withwhich said cha n meshes. a louvre curtain carried bv saidcurtain-carriers. means carried by said curtain-carriers and connectedwith said louvres to revolvesaid louvres a predetermined distance upontheir axes. means adapted to re volve said sprockets simultaneously w thone another. and means independent ;of\ said louvres and cooperat ngwith-a said chain thereby to limit the traveling movements of saidcurtain carrier.

5. In a curtain-operat ng device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets' at the upper portion ofsaid'window, a chain passng over and connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window, a curtain-carrier carried byeach said chains. a louvre curtain carried by said curtain-carriers,means carried by sa'd curtain-carriers whereby the movement of saidchains will revolve said louvres a predetermined distance upon theiraxes and means bination, two oppositely positioned revoluble sprocketsat the lower portion of a window, two oppositely positioned revolublesprockets at the upper portion of said window, a traveling chain passingover and connecting said lower and upper sprockets upon each side ofsaid window, a curtain-carrier carried by each said chains to traveltherewith, a louvre curtain carried by said curtain-carriers, meanscarried by said curtain-carriers whereby the movement of said chainswill revolve said louvres a predetermined distance upon their axes,means adapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously with one anotherand means independent of said louvres and co-operating with a said chainthereby to limit the traveling movements of said ourtain-carriers.

7. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a chain passing over and connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window, a revoluble curtain-carriercarried by each said chains including a sprocket with which said chainmeshes, a louvre curtain carried by'said curtain carriers, means carriedby said curtain-carrier whereby the movement of said chains will revolvesaid louvres a predetermined distance upon their axes and means adaptedto revolve said sprockets.

8. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion'of saidwindow, a traveling chain passing over and connecting said lower andupper sprockets upon each side of said window, a revoluble and travelingcurtain-carrier carried by each said chains including a sprocket withwhich said chain meshes, a louvre curtain carried by said ourtaincarriers, means carried by said curtaincarrier whereby. the movement ofsaid chains will revolve said louvres a predetermined distance upontheir axes, means adapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously withone another and means independent of said louvres and co-operating witha said chain thereby to limit the traveling movements of saidcurtain-carriers.--

9. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a movable chain passing overand connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window, a fixed chain, a curtaincarriercarried by each movable chain, a louvre curtain carried by said curtaincarriers, means carried by said curtain-carrier whereby the movement ofsaid movable chains will cause the fixed chain to revolve said louvres apredetermined distance upon their axes and means adapted to revolve saidsprockets simultaneously with one another.

10. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble s rockets at the upper portion of saidwin ow, a movable chain passing over and connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window, a fixed chain, a curtaincarriercarried by each movable chain to move therewith, a louvre curtaincarried by said curtain carriers, means carried by said curtain-carrierwhereby the movement of said movable chains will cause the fixed chainto revolve said louvres a predetermined distance upon their axes, meansadapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously with one another andmeans independent of said louvres and co-operating with a said movablechain thereby to limit the movements of said movable chain and thus ofsaid curtaincarmar.

11. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window,

two oppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion ofsaid window, a movable chain passing over and connecting said lower anduppersprockets upon each side of said window, a fixed chain, a revolublecurtain-carrier carried by each movable chain to move therewith,'alouvre curtain carried by said curtain-carriers, means carried by saidcurtain-carriers and connected with said lou vres whereby the movementof said movable chains will cause the fixed chain to revolve saidcurtain-carriers and thus to revolve said louvres a predetermineddistance upon their axes and means adapted to revolve said sprocketssimultaneously with one another.

12. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window,

with said louvres whereby the movement of i said movable chains willcause the fixed chain to revolve said curtain-carriers and thus torevolve said louvres a predetermined distance upon their axes, meansadapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously with one an- ICU otherand means independently of said louvres and co-operating with a saidmovable chain thereby to limit the movements of said movable chain andthus of said curtaincarrier.

13. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a chain passing over and connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window, a curtain-carrier carried byeach said chains, a louvre curtain carried by said curtain carriers,means whereby the movement of said chains will first revolve saidlouvres a predetermined distance upon their axes, a further movement ofsaid chains moving said curtain-carriers and louvres bodily therewithand means adapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously with oneanother.

14. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a traveling chain passing over and connecting said lower andupper sprockets upon each side of said window, a curtain-carrier carriedbyeach said chains to travel therewith, a louvre curtain carried by saidcurtain carriers, means whereby the movement of said chains will firstrevolve said louvres a predetermined distance upon their axes, a furthermovement of said chains bodily moving said curtaincarriers and louvresto travel therewith, means adapted to revolve said sprocketssimultaneously with one another and means independent of said louvresand co-operating with a said chain thereby to limit the travelingmovements of said curtain-carriers and louvres.

15. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of awindow, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a chain passing over and connecting said lower and uppersprockets upon each side of said window, a revoluble curtain-carriercarried by each said chains including a sprocket with which said chainmeshes, a louvre curtain carried by said curtain-carriers, means wherebythe movement of said chains will first revolve said louvres apredetermined distance upon their axes, a. further movement of saidchains moving said curtain-carriers and louvres bodily therewith andmeans adapted to revolve said sprockets simultaneously with one another.

16. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, two oppositelypositioned revoluble sprockets at the lower portion of a window, twooppositely positioned revoluble sprockets at the upper portion of saidwindow, a traveling chain passing over and connecting said lower andupper sprockets upon each side of said window, a revolublecurtain-carrier carried by each said chains to travel therewith andincluding a sprocket with which said chain meshes, a louvre curtaincarried by said curtain-carriers, means whereby the movement of saidchains will first revolve said louvres a predetermined distance upontheir axes, a further movement of said chains bodily moving saEdcurtain-carriers and louvres to travel therewith, means adapted torevolve said sprockets simultaneously with one another and meansindependent of said louvres and co-operating with a said chain therebyto limit the traveling movements of said curtain-carriers and louvres.

17 In a curtain-operating device, in combination with a louvre curtainmounted to be moved across a window opening and having its louvresmounted for angular movement to change their inclination, a singleunitary operating mechanism for such curtain and its louvres comprisingoperable means to be operated for changing the angle of inclination ofsaid louvres, and operating means in common for operating said operablemeans and for moving said curtain across the window opening.

18. In a curtain-operating device, in combination with a louvre curtainmounted to be moved across a window opening and having its louvresmounted for angular movement to change their inclination, a singleunitary operating mechanism for such curtain and its louvres comprisingmeans for moving said curtain across the window opening, and means to beoperated for changing the angle of inclination of said louvres connectedto said operating means so as to be operated thereby.

19. In a curtain operating device, in combination with a louvre curtainmounted to be moved across a window opening and having its louvresmounted for angular movement to change their inclination, a singleunitary operating mechanism for such curtain and its louvres comprisinga curtain carrier mounted for bodily traveling movement to traverse thewindow opening and also for limited rocking angular movement to changeits angle of inclination, connections whereby the louvres partake ofeach of said movements of the curtain carrier, operating means formoving said curtain including an actuating member to be moved fortransmitting traveling movement to said curtain carrier and to be movedin the opposite direction for transmitting oppositely traveling movementto said curtain carrier, and means operable to change the inclination ofsaid louvres whereby movement of said actuating member immediatelyimparts rocking torque to said curtain carrier and movement of saidactuating member in the opposite direction immediately imparts rockingtorque to said curtain carrier in the reverse direction so that thus aslight movement of said actuating member will be effective to change theinelination of said louvres and further movement of said actuatingmember in the same direction will be effective to move said louvrecurtain across the window opening.

20. In a curtain-operating device, in combination with a louvre curtainmounted to be moved across a window opening and having its louvresmounted for angular movement to change their inclination, a singleunitary operating mechanism for such curtain and its louvres comprisinga curtain carrier mounted for bodily traveling movement to traverse thewindow opening and also for limited rocking angular movement,connections whereby the louvres partake of each of said movements of thecurtain carrier, operating means for imparting traveling movement to thecurtain carrier, an element having a convexly curved periphery fixed onthe curtain carrier, stop means for limiting the rocking movement ofsaid element and curtain carrier, and an independently mountedlongitudinally extending member in operative engagement with theperiphery of said element and relatively to which said element in itstraveling movement may have rolling followed by sliding engagementthereby to change the inclination of said louvres while providing forthe movement of said louv're curtain across the window opening.

21. In a curtain-operating device, in combination with a louvre curtainmounted to be moved across a window opening and having its louvresmounted for angular movement to change their angle of inclination, asingle unitary operating mechanism for such curtain and its louvrescomprising operating means for moving said curtain across the windowopening, a curtain carrier mounted for limited rocking movement and forbodily traveling movement with said curtain connections between thecurtain carrier and the louvres whereby rocking movement of the curtaincarrier will change the inclination of the louvres, a traveling bracketproviding a bearing for said curtain carrier, a sprocket wheel fixed tothe curtain carrier and having a toothed peripheral portion and a smoothperipheral portion in circumferential alignment with its toothedportion, a pair of chain-guides on said bracket respectively at oppositesides of said sprocket wheel in the direction of said travelingmovement, and a sprocket chain relatively to which said bracket ismovable and extending in said direction of traveling movement betweensaid chain-guides and said sprocket wheel in operative engagement withthe periphery of the latter so that thereby relative traveling movementbetween said bracket and sprocket chain will be effective to change theangle of inclination of the louvres.

22. In a curtain-operating device, in combination with a louvre curtainmounted to be moved across a window opening and having its louvresmounted for angular movement to change their angle of inclination, asingle unitary operating mechanism for such curtain and its louvrescomprising means for moving said curtain across the window opening, acurtain carrier mounted for limited rocking movement and for bodilytraveling movement with said curtain, connections between the curtaincarrier and the louvres whereby rocking movement of the curtain carrierwill change the inclination of the louvres, a traveling bracketproviding a bear ing for said curtain carrier, a sprocket wheel fixed tothe curtain carrier and having a toothed peripheral portion and a smoothperipherahportion in circumferential alignment with its toothed portion,a pair of chainguides on said bracket respectively at opposite sides ofsaid sprocket wheel in the direction of said traveling movement, and afixed sprocket chain extending in the direction of said travelingmovement between said chainguides and sprocket wheel in operativeengagement with the periphery of the latter to have meshing engagementwith its teeth followed by sliding engagement thereby to be eflective tochange the inclination of said louvres while providing for the movementof the louvre curtain across the window openmg.

23. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, an operating shaftextending transversely along an end of a window opening or the like,means for rotating said shaft including worm gearing for locking saidshaft against incidental rotation, a sprocket wheel fixed upon each ofthe opposite ends of said shaft, an endless flexible member at each sideof the window opening including a sprocket chain passing around each ofsaid sprocket wheels and having its two runs extending therefrom towardsthe other end of the window, a supporting guide at the said other end ofthe window for each of said flexible members around which it passes andfrom which its two runs extend to said sprockets and a louvre curtaincarried by a run of each of said flexible members which moves in thesame direction thereby to move said curtain across the window openingand hold it in any position to which it may be moved.

24. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, a single unitaryoperating mechanism comprising an operating shaft extending transverselyalong an end of a window opening or the like, means for rotating saidshaft including worm gearing for locking said shaft against incidentalrotation, a sprocket wheel fixed upon each of the opposite ends of saidshaft, and endless flexible member at each side' of the window openingincluding a sprocket chain passing around each of said sprocket wheelsand having its two runs extending therefrom towards the other end of thewindow, a supporting guide at the said other end of the window for eachof said flexible members around which it passes and from which itstwor'uns extend to said sprockets, a unitary housing frame within whichsaid operating mechanism is mounted, and a louvre curtain carried by arun of each of said flexible members which moves in the same directionthereby to move said curtain across the window opening and hold it inany position to which it may be moved.

25. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, an operating shaftextending transversely along an end of a window opening or the like,means for rotating said shaft including worm gearing for locking saidshaft against incidental rotation, a sprocket wheel fixed upon each ofthe opposite ends of said shaft, an endless flexible member at each sideof the window opening including a sprocket chain passing around each ofsaid sprocket wheels and having its two runs extending therefrom towardsthe other end of the window, a supporting guide at the said other end ofthe window, for each of said flexible members around which it passes andfrom which its two runs extend to said sprockets, a bracket carried by arun of each of said flexible members which moves in the same direction,a curtain carrier mounted for limited rocking movement on each of saidbrackets, a louvre curtain carried by said curtain carriers andconnected therewith to have the inclination of its louvres changed byrocking movement of the curtain carriers, a wheel element fixed to eachof said curtain carriers, chain-guides on each of said brackets, and afixed flexible member extending in the same direction as the runs ofeach of said endless flexible members and guided by said chain-guides inoperative engagement with one side of the periphery of said wheelelement so as thereby to be effective to change the inclination of saidlouvres while providing for the movement of the louvre curtain acrossthe window opening.

"26. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, an operating shaftextending transversely along an end of a window openin or the like,means for rotating said shaft incfiid- 1ng worm gearing for locking saidshaft against incidental rotation, a sprocket wheel fixed upon each ofthe opposite ends of said shaft, an endless flexible member at each sideof the window opening including a sprocket chain passing around each ofsaid sprocket wheels and having its two runs extending therefrom towardsthe other end of the w ndow, a supportin guide at the said other end ofthe window or each of said flexible members around which it passes andfrom which its two runs extend to said sprockets, a bracket carried by arun of each of said flexible members which moves in the same direction,a curtain carrier mounted for limited rocking movement on each of saidbrackets, a louvre curtain carried by said curtain carriers andconnected therewith to have the inclination of its louvres changed byrocking movement of the curtain carriers, a wheel element fixed to eachof said curtain carriers, and guides on each of said brackets formaintaining the other run said endless flexible member at that side inoperative engagement with one side of the periphery of said wheelelement so as thereby to be effective to change the inclination of saidlouvres while providing for the movement of the louvre curtain acrossthe window opening.

27. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, a unitary housingframe to be mounted in position to surround a window opening or thelike, a louvre curtain mounted in said frame to be moved across thewindow opening and having its louvres mounted for angular movement tochange their inclination, and a single unitary operating mechanism forsuch curtain and its louvres mounted within and supported by saidunitary housing frame; said operating mechanism comprising two similartwo-run sprocket chains respectively extending within the housing framealong the sides thereof, a pair of similar sprocket wheels around whichadjacent ends of the runs of said chains respectively pass, a pair ofsupporting guides around which the other ends of the runs of said chainsrespectively pass, operating means for concomitantly rotating saidsprocket wheels in unison, a bearing bracket carried by a run of each ofsaid chains which moves in the same direction, a curtain carrierjournaled for limited rocking movement on each of said brackets andconnected with said louvres for imparting angular movement and alsobodily traveling movement thereto, a sprocket wheel fixed to the curtaincarrier and having a toothed peripheral portion and a smooth peripheralportion in circumferential alignment with its toothed portion, a pair ofchain-guides respectively on the ends of said bracket in alignment withsaid sprocket wheel in the direction of traveling movement of saidbracket, and a fixed sprocket chain fixedly anchored at its ends withinsaid housing frame and passing between said chain guides and theperiphery of said sprocket wheel in operative engagement with one sideof the periphery of the latter to have meshing engagement with its teethfor changing the inclination of the louvres and to have relative slidingengagement which provides for the movement of the louvre curtain acrossthe window opening.

28. In a curtain-operating device, in combination, a unitary housingframe to be mounted in position to surround a window opening or thelike, a louvre curtain mounted in said frame to be moved across thewindow opening and having its louvres mounted for angular movement tochange their inclination, and a single unitary operating mechanism forsuch curtain and its louvres mounted within and supported by saidunitary housing frame; said operating mechanism comprising two similartwo-run sprocket chains respectively extending within the housing framealong the sides thereof, a pair of similar sprocket wheels around whichadjacent ends of the runs of said chains respectively pass, a pair ofsupporting guides around which the other ends of the runs of said chainsrespectively pass, operating means for concomitantly rotating saidsprocket wheels in unison, a bearing bracket carried by a run of each ofsaid chains which moves in the same direction, a curtain carrierjournaled for limited rocking movement on each of said brackets andconnected with said louvres for imparting angular movement and alsobodily traveling movement thereto, a sprocket wheel fixed to the curtaincarrier and having a toothed peripheral portion and a smooth peripheralportion in circumferential alignment with its toothed portion, and apair of chain-guides respectively on the ends of said bracket inalignment with said sprocket wheel in the direction of travelingmovement of said bracket for maintaining the reversely moving other runof said sprocket chain in operative engagement with one side of theperiphery of said sprocket wheel on the bracket to have meshingengagement with its teeth for changing the inclination of the louvresand to have relative sliding engagement therewith to provide for themovement of the louvre curtain across the window opening.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this18th day of April, 1932.

EDWARD F. SIBBERT.

